Is it possible to transfer a digital broadcast from Directv or Dish network directly to DVD (or computer) without converting to analog first? If so, what equiptment/hardware do I need to record directly from the satellite? Do either Directv or Dish boxes have a digital output? Thanks!

Here's some guides and information to get you started:

http://www.videohelp.com/guides.php?...lect=9;58#9;58

Thanks, Chew. I'm not sure that link provided the answers to my questions. I did find this tidbit, which seems to discourage going down the capturing the digital signal route:

http://www.videohelp.com/forum/archive/t229481.html

I'm still researching the subject. I'd appreciate additional comments.

I am not an expert on the inner workings of electronic equipment. I can tell you that I frequently record directly off of Direct TV to a DVD recorder. Whether or not it gets converted to analog I cannot say.

Yes any of the outputs from your Direct TV box will be analog unless you have firewire or DVI. Im not sure that they even offer a box with these digital outputs.

Composite, component, svideo are all analog, you can still get a decent picture though.

Your best bet might be a DVHS deck they are able to record a High def signal and digital sound through the firewire input. Unfortunatlely it appears that DirectTV does not support firewire on their boxes. So I guess there is an advantage to cable at least right now.

And the really frustrating part is this is all because 1. industry cant pick a standard format for DTV. and 2. They are so paranoid of theft of high quality digital signals that they wont allow paying customers to record a quality signal onto a DVD.

Thanks for the clarification, I should have realized this!

Direct's HTL-HD tuner has DVI. I think the Sony HD-300 does too- they're basically the same- but I returned that POS after the second one blew up.